At Su Yu's Doorstep
Standing in front of Su Yu's room, Miura Yumiko hesitated.
She knocked gently.
…No response.
After a moment, she gathered her courage, slowly opened the door, and stepped inside.
Changing into indoor slippers at the entrance, she walked toward his bedroom door—
Just as she was about to knock, the door swung open.
Su Yu stood there, smiling at her.
"Come in."
His voice was calm and gentle as he turned back toward his desk.
Yumiko lowered her slightly trembling hand and followed him inside.
As she stepped into his room, memories of last time resurfaced.
But this time, she was different.
She knew what she wanted.
"Take a seat. Dinner will take some time. I'll finish this soon," Su Yu said without turning around.
"…Can I help?" Yumiko asked softly.
"No need. But I assume you've been researching assistant work, haven't you?"
Su Yu glanced at her with a knowing smile.
"…How did you know?" Yumiko's eyes widened in shock.
"You're like Yui—gentle and kind. But you also have Yukino's decisiveness.
"You know I'm a manga artist, so you wanted to help me.
"Just like how, when I gave you an opportunity, you immediately prepared me a bento the very next day."
Su Yu continued drawing as he spoke.
"I just… thought that if I learned about it, maybe I could be useful," Yumiko murmured.
She had studied manga assistant techniques, bought reference books, and even considered practicing drawing seriously—
All because she wanted to help him.
Hearing her words, Su Yu paused and looked at her directly.
Feeling his gaze, Yumiko lowered her head, feeling a little flustered.
"Don't let me become your only priority—it'll affect your own career," Su Yu said gently.
"I-It's fine. I'm not busy yet. When I get busy, I'll work hard," Yumiko replied, lifting her gaze.
Su Yu stood up and walked over to her.
Her cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red, and she instinctively lowered her head again.
"…I hesitated last night because I still wasn't sure."
"But now—"
"I want to properly respond to your feelings."
Yumiko's heart pounded.
Summoning all her courage, she stood up.
"I… I like you," she confessed.
Su Yu pulled her into his arms—and kissed her.
She responded clumsily—but earnestly.
The kiss lasted several minutes.
By the time Su Yu pulled away, Yumiko's face was burning red.
At that moment, she felt truly happy.
After dinner, Su Yu walked the two girls to the station.
This time, as soon as they left Sakura Hall—
He took Yumiko's hand.
Ebina Hina glanced over but said nothing.
Yumiko, however, lowered her gaze, feeling shy but happy.
Holding Su Yu's hand in front of Hina made her heart race.
Last night, she and Hina had talked for hours.
She was beginning to feel that Hina didn't truly like Su Yu in a romantic way—more as admiration.
Of course, it didn't matter much to her.
After all—she was the newcomer in Su Yu's life.
As the three reached the station, no one spoke much.
When Yumiko finally let go of Su Yu's hand, she reluctantly looked back at him.
"If you don't mind, you could always go back to Sakura Hall with Su Yu-kun," Hina teased.
"…Hina!" Yumiko's face turned bright red.
Su Yu chuckled as he watched the two enter the station—
Then turned and headed home.
Upon returning to Sakura Hall, Su Yu went upstairs and opened his door—
A cute little maid stood at the entrance.
"Welcome home, Su Yu-kun."
"Would you like dinner first? A bath? Or…"
Yuigahama Yui smiled playfully—but didn't finish the sentence.
Su Yu smirked.
"A clumsy maid's priority shouldn't be greeting me—but hiding under the covers, waiting for me to come find her."
Yui's face turned red instantly.
Su Yu stepped forward and scooped her up—
And carried her toward his room.
But instead of heading toward the bed—
He walked to his desk.
"…What are you doing?" Yui blinked in confusion.
"We're watching anime."
"Anime? Not a movie? There's one I wanted to see," Yui pouted.
"A movie works too."
Su Yu glanced down at the girl in his arms—
A few minutes later—
Yui finally understood why he said "a movie works too."
The next day followed the usual routine—
Morning run.Breakfast.Heading to school.
Yumiko didn't prepare a bento this time—since Kawasaki Saki had already made one.
With exams tomorrow, the classroom atmosphere was tense.
When Su Yu and the others entered, most students were studying.
Even during lessons, everyone was paying close attention.
Except for Su Yu, who was busy with something else.
At lunch, he went to the teacher's office—
To borrow the copier.
Hiratsuka Shizuka gave him a suspicious look.
"…What are you copying?"
When she saw the sheets in Su Yu's hands—
She froze.
Did… did he write these himself?!
"…What's wrong, Sensei?" Su Yu asked casually.
"…N-nothing."
Quickly, she made the copies for him.
After Su Yu left—
She rushed to check the locked exam papers.
The tests were still securely sealed—meaning Su Yu hadn't cheated.
"…Did he seriously predict the exam questions?"
Hiratsuka frowned in thought.
Could he really surpass Yukino's scores…?
At the Service Club, Su Yu handed each girl a copy of his notes.
Yukinoshita Yukino skimmed through it—then silently tucked it away.
"These are the key points I compiled this morning," Su Yu explained.
"The test will likely cover these topics. Study them carefully."
Ebina Hina raised an eyebrow.
"…So this is predicted content?"
"Su Yu-kun's notes are actually really useful," Yukino admitted.
"If Yukino says so, I'll definitely study them!" Yui grinned.
Kawasaki Saki glanced at Yukino and silently agreed.
As for Yumiko—she completely believed in Su Yu.
While the girls reviewed his notes—
Su Yu ate his lunch calmly.
He had no intention of giving a copy to Hikigaya Hachiman or Totsuka Saika.
Their grades weren't bad—they'd easily pass.
No need to share his secrets with them.
Notes-You can read advanced chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X